The Lynda Steele Show: Is a pot shop crackdown brewing?

With news today that the Nanaimo RCMP has raided three marijuana dispensaries, the murky legal area where the shops operate is again in the spotlight.

The move has some questioning whether a crackdown on the businesses might be brewing.

That’s certainly what Kash Heed says is coming.

Former Solicitor General Kash Heed says a crackdown is needed to end the marijuana black market.

Speaking on the Lynda Steele show, the former West Vancouver Police Chief and BC Solicitor General says action is needed to get criminals out of the industry.

“I’m not surprised. As a matter of fact you’re going to see a lot more of these raids take place wherever these dispensaries pop up. They’e supporting the black market, because there’s no way they can get their product from a legal source.”

Heed says the problem is that dispensaries aren’t buying through the legal system — the 26 federally licensed producers who sell via internet and courier to people with a verified medical condition.

He says those producers quality control their product, test its potency, and look for contaminants. By contrast, he says many dispensaries will sell to virtually anyone, while propping up illegal activity.

Crackdown vs. legalization?

Nanaimo dispensaries were warned by the RCMP last month to shut down or face legal action / Cannabisincanada.ca

Heed says he thinks Nanaimo is setting the right example, as Canada moves to new regulations.

“I’m a little disappointed about what is going on in Vancouver, but I’m actually pleased of Nanaimo’s action on these three dispensaries.”

While some have complained the crackdown flies in the face of the Federal Liberals’ pledge to legalize pot, Heed says the two actually go hand in hand.

“We have to remove the black market if we are truly going to have it.”

He says the country needs to resist the urge to rush in, and create a new set of rules thoughtfully – particularly since we’re being watched by a global audience.

Heed says he’d like to see the marijuana industry split into two streams – one medical, and the other recreational, and that Ottawa will need to work with the provinces to come up with a distribution system similar to how we handle liquor.

He says ideally, the feds would draft legislation early next year. That would allow about a year to study the issue and still have the policy in place by early 2017.

“That way it comes right into the budget cycle, and we can get some tax revenue from the recreational sales.”

When the dispensaries can choose to buy from people who have their growers license, not the large LPs who produce sub standard quality cannabis, there is no reason to shut them all down. Shut down those who literally have a runner delivering their cannabis, not a grower who also grows for themselves and has a clean safe set up.

Hash Weed just wants to wipe out the competition. The allegation that pot shots are selling to children is ridiculous. And if we’re really worried about ‘criminals’ growing and selling pot then legalize it and they won’t be criminals anymore.
It seems the closer we get to legalization the more hysteria and convoluted thinking. Come on Justin. Just declare pot legal and worry about the details later.

Not a good idea inhaling pot or cigarettes into the lungs. The Tars and Resins are very harmful to the lung tissue. The Particulate matter in Pot is extremely fine and crosses the blood brain barrier and alters cognitive abilities over time. Promoting pot smoking to young people should be avoided.